Think Trade, Think Green 2024 Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award

Published: 26 Jul 2024

The Commonwealth Secretariat is pleased to launch the Think Trade, Think Green: Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award Competition. This competition, brought to you by the Trade and Youth teams of the Commonwealth Secretariat, invites young researchers and students aged 18-29 to share their insights on a crucial topic: How can trade and trade policy address an aspect of the climate crisis in your country?

Objective: To challenge young people in the Commonwealth to explore the relationship between trade and climate change and propose how trade policy can be part of the solution to the climate crisis.

The Commonwealth’s 56 member countries have a combined population of 2.7 billion people, with over 60% aged between 15 and 29. The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) has focused on youth empowerment for over 50 years, recognising it as a prerequisite for economic growth and inclusive development.

In collaboration with the Secretariat’s Trade Competitiveness Section, the CYP invites young people to participate in this essay competition, amplifying their voices in climate action and policy. This initiative aligns with the Year of Youth objectives, promoting youth-led entrepreneurship, resilience and climate adaptation.

Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award

Benefits of Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award

• First prize: £1,000
• Second and third prizes: £500 each

The top three essays will be published as part of the Trade Competitiveness Briefing Series and launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in October.

Requirements for Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award

You must be aged between 18-29 years old and a Commonwealth national to participate in this competition.

• Essays must be a maximum of 2,000 words (including in-text references and footnotes, excluding reference list)
• Full referencing in any style (in-text and reference list)
• Entries should be submitted as a single PDF or Word file, 1.5 spacing, Times New Roman font

Details to include

• Name
• Age
• Nationality
• Contact information (email, address, telephone)
• CV or short bio

Selection Process

Important dates

• Start date: 15 July 2024
• Submission deadline: 21 August 2024
• Winners informed: 2 September 2024

Judging criteria

• Entries will be evaluated based on the originality of the challenges identified and solutions proposed, quality of writing and coherence with international trade policy frameworks
• All essays will be blind peer-reviewed by the Trade and Youth Team. A distinguished panel will assess the papers and award a prize to the author of the best essay.

Application Deadline

How to Apply